Tripdavon Guests on HBO’s Entourage

If you are looking to hear some music from IV-based band Tripdavon there is no need to scour bars looking for a local music jukebox, you don’t have to bother stealing your neighbor’s internet to download songs either. Simply meander to the boob tube and flip on Home Box Office. That’s right; Isla Vista-born, Montecito-based rock band Tripdavon will be featured this Sunday’s episode of the HBO smash-hit comedy Entourage.

“Our manager has been actively seeking out TV shows, video games and movies for us to be featured in,” said Justin Fox, the band’s lead singer. “We were pushing to get on that show [Entourage] more than others so when it happened we were all very happy.” The episode will feature the song “Nothing or All” from the band’s newest album, The Enlightened Operative. The song will play in the middle of the show for about a minute and a half, which is an unusually long amount of time. Most songs featured on the show only play for 15 seconds.

Tripdavon started in Isla Vista under the name Audiophile, playing their first gig at an apartment complex on the infamous Del Playa Drive. Dissatisfied by the title of the band, the guys ended up switching their moniker to the current, Tripdavon. The name derives from the phrase “trip to Vons,” as the band’s original rehearsal space was located next to the grocery store and the end of practice often led to trips to Vons. The band went on a tour across Europe with Eric Burdon, famous as the front man for The Animals and War, across Europe.

After the tour the band headed to the small town of Weed, California to create its second album, which they are still promoting. The guys enlisted the help of well-known producer Sylvia Massy, most well known for working with Prince, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Tool. In Massy’s recording studio, which encapsulates a full city block, the band honed their sound over 40 days to make The Enlightened Operative.

Tripdavon – made up of members Fox, Greg Doscher, Adam Coons, Dave Heer, and Russ Cummings-doesn’t have anything booked locally as of yet. But Fox promises “We have a few things up our sleeves for the summer.” The band does, however, have touring dates booked in both Mexico and the Midwest. They also have plans for this Sunday. “We’re gonna be at the house having a little Entourage barbeque party,” Fox said.

Entourage, Episode 44: “The First Cut Is the Deepest,” will air this Sunday, June 24, at 10 p.m. and has numerous re-airings throughout the week.